It’s something we all do daily but have you ever considered that you might be throwing your hygiene habits out of the window based on your shower habits?
When I asked my group chat how long they showered for each day, the responses varied wildly. Whilst one friend revealed she could spend up to 30 minutes in the shower a day, another said she gets bored after three minutes. So what is the optimum time to ensure you’re actually being as hygienic as possible without wreaking havoc with your skin?
According to Melissa Wood, medical director at Skin Emporium, keeping your shower to 10 minutes or less is the optimum length.
“As nice as they are on a chilly day, long, hot showers can severely dry out the epidermis, stripping it of sebum and natural oils which will leave your skin dehydrated. Dry skin can exacerbate common and irritating skin conditions such as eczema,” she said.
Likewise, Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Chemist Click, says that around 8-10 minutes is usually enough time to hydrate your skin and cleanse. “Showering for less than five minutes may not be long enough to cleanse your body, and can cause bacterial or fungal infections,” she added. I hope my anonymous friend is reading this.
Whilst not showering for long enough can cause bacterial infections, showering for too long (especially in a hot shower) can strip your skin of its natural oils, causing it to become dry. It’s a tricky balance!
“Whilst showering is of course a necessary way to wash away sweat and dead skin cells, remove dirt, and prevent body odour, daily showers can also have a negative effect on your skin. Washing the skin too often and for prolonged periods of time can remove the natural oils and affect the natural bacteria that grows there to support your immune system,” adds Dr Rekha Tailor of Health & Aesthetics.
Ultimately, follow the experts’ advice and aim for a shower of around 10 minutes. If you have a skin condition such as eczema, showering in lukewarm water is less likely to cause irritation and to lock in moisture after a shower, use an aqueous based cream to moisturise your skin.
Some experts even laud the benefits of blasting your skin with cold water at the end of your shower, with Kristina Velkova, the Founder of Vitaclean, saying: “Taking a cold shower can have a number of benefits for both your body and mind. For a boost of energy in the morning, try blasting yourself with cold water for 30 seconds at the end of your shower. Not only will you feel more alert, this trick will help reduce stress, increase circulation and can reduce muscle soreness after a workout. There are also incredible beauty benefits – the cold water can help reduce puffiness and close your pores, making skin appear more even and leave your hair with a healthy shine.”